A new Board of Directors has been appointed to Family Business UK to support the organisation over the next 3 years.
The changes were confirmed at the organisation’s Annual General Meeting which was held on Thursday (April 10) at the offices of FBUK Member, ARCO.
Having spent four years as Chairman of FBUK, Sir James Wates CBE, is stepping down from the role to be replaced by Steve Rigby, Co-CEO of Rigby Group plc, whilst existing Board Director Charlie Field, Deputy Chair of CPJ Field, also steps into a new role of Deputy Chairman of FBUK.
New appointments to the Board include Rupert Heseltine, Chairman of Haymarket Group Ltd and Sarah Naghshineh, Chief Operating Officer at RCP Parking. Lord Iain McNicol of West Kilbride will join as an Advisor to the Board along with Alison Phillips, the award-winning journalist, editor and commentator.
Chris Romans, formerly of EY, will serve as Chair of a new FBUK Tax Committee whilst Lord McNicol will Chair FBUK’s Policy Committee.
Directors leaving the Board include Chris Bailey, Non-Executive Director of NG Bailey; Chloe Benest, Family Council Chair of Bettys and Taylors Group; Nick Linney, Chairman of Linney Group Holdings and Alastair Macphie, Non-Executive Chairman of Macphie Ltd. All those standing down will take up roles as ambassadors for FBUK, advocating for the organisation and family businesses around the UK.
Neil Davy, CEO FBUK said: “The success of Family Business UK over the last three years is, in no small measure, due to the dedication and unwavering support of our Board of Directors. I am personally grateful to all of them for everything they have done for our organisation and our cause.
“I am particularly grateful for the support of Sir James who I’ve known for many years. His passion for the model of family ownership is infectious. On behalf of all our Members, I would like to thank him for his energy, commitment and friendship.”
Steve Rigby, Chair of FBUK continued: “I am grateful to all those who have served FBUK and for the opportunity to represent all FBUK Members in the next chapter of our journey.
“The North Star of FBUK is to become the leading voice for private and family business in the UK. To help us on that journey I am delighted to welcome our new Board Directors who bring a wealth of experience, knowledge and skills that will serve us well as we build for the future.”
Full details of FBUK’s Board can be found here.